Selective actuating mechanism for percussive photoflash lamp array

ABSTRACT

For a photoflash assembly comprising a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps arranged in a planar array with respectively associated reflectors and preenergized striker springs, a selective actuating mechanism for sequentially releasing the striker springs to fire respective flashlamps in response to successive indexing. The selective actuating mechanism comprises a coplanar train of intermeshing spur gears having a number of circumferentially spaced projecting ramps. The lamps and striker springs are supported on the end surfaces of shafts upon which the gears are rotatably mounted. The strikers are radially mounted on each shaft to project over the surrounding gear and lie in the path of travel of the ramps. Rotational indexing of the gear train causes one of the ramps to release a striker. A ratchet retains the position of the gears after each indexing cycle, and the sequence of releasing the strikers in response to successive indexing is programmed by the number and circumferential location of the ramps.

United States Patent -Broadt et al.

[ Jan. 1,1974

[ SELECTIVE ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR PERCUSSIVEPHOTOFLASH LAMP ARRAY [75] Inventors: David R. Broadt, Lewisburg; Donald E. Armstrong, Williamsport, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: GTE Sylvania Incorporated,

Danvers, Mass.

[22] Filed: June 6, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 260,286

[52] US. Cl. ..240/1.3, 95/11 L, 431/93 Primary Examiner-Fred L. Braun Attorney-Norman J. OMalley et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT For a photoflash assembly comprising a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps arranged in a planar array with respectively associated reflectors and preenergized striker springs, a selective actuating mechanism for sequentially releasing the striker springs to fire respective flashlamps in response to successive indexing. The selective actuating mechanism comprises a coplanar train of intermeshing spur gears having a number of circumferentially spaced projecting ramps The lamps and striker springs are supported on the end surfaces of shafts upon which the gears are rotatably mounted. The strikers are radially mounted on each shaft to project over the surrounding gear and lie in the path of travel of the ramps. Rotational indexing of the gear train causes one of the ramps to release a striker. A ratchet retains the position of the gears after each indexing cycle, and the sequence of releasing the strikers in response to successive indexing is programmed by the number and circumferential location of the ramps.

29 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIEuJm nsm $783,260

I summers SELECTIVE ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR PERCUSSIVE PHOTOFLASII LAMP ARRAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to multilamp photoflash units and, more particularly, to an array of percussivelyignitable photoflash lamps with means for sequentially controlling the firing thereof.

The trend in photoflash devices has been toward the use of subminiature flashlamps can envelope volume of less than 1 cubic centimeter) in compact, disposable, multilamp units to provide camera users with the advantages of greater convenience, compactness and portability. A currently popular flashlamp unit of this type is known generally in the trade as a flashcube, a specific embodiment of which is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,327,105, for example. The unit comprises a set of four flashlamps, each with its own reflector, mounted on a base and enclosed within a transparent cover, with each of the lamp-reflector assemblies facing a respective one of the four side walls of the cube. A spindle depends from the center of the flashcube base for operatively retaining the unit in a complementary receiving socket on a camera. In operation, the flashcube is sequentially rotated a quarter of a turn at a time, usually in response to each operation of the film advance mechanism of the camera, to successively place unused lamps in a firing position facing the object being photo graphed. Each of the flashlamps consists of an hermetically sealed, light transmitting glass envelope containing a filamentary combustible material, such as shredded zirconium foil, and a combustion supporting gas, such as oxygen. In the case of flashcubes employing electrically ignited lamps, a pair of lead-in wires pass through the lamp envelope to support therein a fila ment in combination with globules of ignition paste. When the flashcube is in the firing position,'segments of the lead-in wires disposed outside the lamp envelope are securely engaged with electrical contacts in the camera socket, which in turn are connected by wires and a shutter actuated switch to the camera power source, usually a pair of dry cell batteries. When a photographer actuates the shutter release mechanism to snap a picture, he also, by the same operation, closes the electrical circuit from the batteries to the ignition system in the lamp to thereby flash the lamp. The timing of the ignition of the combustible material in the lamp is synchronized with the exposure of the film by actuation of the shutterrelease so that efficient utilization of the light from the flashlamp may be obtained.

A not infrequent problem that has been faced by the average amateur photographer when using a battery operated flash system, however, has been failure of the lamp to fire due to weak batteries and/or dirt or corro-.

sion on one or more of the electrical contacts in the system. To overcome this problem and provide improved flashlamp reliability, percussive-type flashlamps have been developed which may be mechanically fired without the need for batteries. as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,063, for example, such flashlamps have a mechanical primer sealed in one end of the lamp in lieuof lead-in wires. This primer may comprise a metal tube extending from the lamp envelope and a charge of fulminating material of a wire supported on the tube. operation of the percussive flashlamp is initiated by an impact onto the tube to cause deflagration of the fulminating material up through the tube to ignite the combustible material disposed in the lamp envelope. The percussive-type lamps are also produced in subminiature envelope sizes and are employed in percussive flashcube units having respective preenergized striker springs associated with each lamp, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,597,604. The percussive flashcube is indexed into firing position similarly to the electrical flashcube; however, the flashlamp to be used is fired by the action of a member, associated with the camera shutter mechanism, moving up through the flash base to release'the respective preenergized striker spring, whereby it sharply impacts against the primer tube of the lamp.

Another development in the field of multilamp flash units for providing additional convenience and flexibility is the provision of a linear or planar array of flashlamps. In such an arrangement, a plurality of lamps face in the direction of the object being photographed whereby it is possible to rapidly switch from one lamp to another or to flash more than one lamp at a time if additional light is required. Examples of preivously de scribed flashlamp arrays are provided by the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,267,272; 3,430,545; 3,438,315; 3,454,756; 3,458,270; 3,473,880; 3,500,732; 3,544,251; 3,545,904; 3,443,875; 3,552,896; 3,562,508; 3,598,984; 3,598,985; 3,608,451; and

All of these patents describe electrically energized flash systemswith the sequence of lamp flashing being controlled by various electrical switching means including: manually controlled spring slide contacts; a rotary switch; thermally or chemically reactive switches placed in thermal proximity to the flashlamps; a switch within each lamp envelope which closes in response to firing to prepare the next lamp in sequence; a voltage surge across the lamps causes ignition of only the lamp having the lowest voltage break down characteristics; bimetallic switches; a meltable junction within each lamp envelope; and solid state switching circuits. Although providing a number of advantages, the electrical arrays are still prone to the reliability problems associated with an electrical flash system, namely, ignition failures due to weak batteries and/or dirty or cor-- roded electrical contacts. As discussed hereinbefore, such problems have previously been overcome in flashcube units by the use of percussive lamps with associated preenergized striker springs. There appears to be no prior art, however, with respect to the packaging and operation of percussive-type flashlamps in an array configuration.

Anotherdisadvantage of electrical arrays is the relative difficulty of maintaining the proper lamp firing sequence in the event the array is removed froma camera and subsequently replaced. To overcome this problem, the prior art, as indicated above, employs special type flashlamps or relatively complex memory circuits or switches in the camera. Such approaches are generally considered undesirable with respect to both cost and reliability.

,SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved multiple photoflash lamp assembly which may be operated without an electrical energy source and which does not require lamp movement during the operating sequence.

.. Q i a A particular object of the invention is to provide a percussive flashlamp array having reliable and economical means for enabling rapid sequential ignition of the lamps and for providing a self-contained memory of the lamp ignition sequence.

Another object is to provide an automatic mechanism responsive to successive actuation of a camera shutter for mechanically activating in sequence an array of percussive flashlamps.

Briefly, these objects are attained, in accordance with the invention, by supporting a movable member in operative alignment with the strikers associated with the array of percussive flashlamps and providing means on the movable member for sequentially releasing the strikers in response to successive indexing. More par ticularly, the selective actuating mechanism of the invention comprises a coplanar train of intermeshing spur gears having a number of circumferentially spaced projecting ramps. The gears are supported on shafts having end surfaces upon which the percussive lamps and associated strikers are mounted, and the strikers are radially disposed to project over the gear and lie in the path of travel of the projecting ramps. Upon rotationally indexing the gear train the ramps selectively release the strikers, with the sequence of striker release location of the ramps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This invention will be more fully described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a multilamp photoflash assembly including features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an enlarged scale of the rear wall of the flash assembly of FIG. I with a gear actuating mechanism according to the invention and several spring members shown in full and the several flashlamps associated therewith shown in phantom; the view also includes a sectional representation of the base member to show the aperture therethrough;

FIG. 3 is a side view on an enlarged scale of the flash assembly of FIG. 1 with the side wall removed;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of a single lamp-firing spring assembly;

FIGS. 5-7 are simplified fragmentary views on an enlarged scale showing threepositions of the gears and actuating member of FIG. 2 during an indexing cycle;

FIG. 8 is a simplified fragmentary view on an en'- larged scale of an alternative actuating means which enables variation of the mode of indexing the gear mechanism of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are simplified sectional views of one of the gears of FIG. 2 modified to include an assist spring.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Inthe specific embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the photoflash assembly comprises a group of eight axially disposed fla'shlamps 10 and associated coaxially reflectors 12 arranged in a compact planar array comprising two stacked rows of four lamps each. The array is housed in a box-like container 14 comprising a substantially planar base member 16, a substantially planar support member 18 secured to the rear of base 16 and disposed substantially normal thereto, a pair of side walls 20 and 22, and a top wall 24. Members 16-24 may comprise a unitary structure of molded plastic, or support member 18 may be separately attached. Enclosure is completed by a sheet of transparent plastic material 26 attached as a front wall to container 14 and disposed over the light emitting side of the array.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the flashlamps 10 are mounted on one side of the support member 18 with the longitudinal axes of the lamps disposed normal thereto. Also mounted on support member 18 are eight preenergized striker springs 28 each positioned in operative relationship with respect to one of the lamps. As will be described in detail hereinafter, the striker springs are individually releasable to fire the respectively associated lamps.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the selective actuating mechanism according to the invention comprises a coplanar train of two intermeshing spur gears 30 and 32 each having a number of circumferentially spaced projecting ramps 34. The gears are rotatably mounted on a pair of shafts 36 and 38 fixedly secured at one end to the support member 18. Preferably the shafts comprise integral molded portions of the support member 18. The free end of each shaft has a substantially planar surface parallel to the plane of the gear mounted thereon, and the gear train is arranged parallel to support member 18. To enable the desired coaction between the gear mechanism and the lamp firing springs, a cluster of four lamps 10 and four striker springs 28 are symmetrically disposed on the end surface of each gear shaft so as to provide an overall eight lamp array consisting of two parallel rows of four equally spaced lamps.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, each concave reflector 12 is disposed coaxially about its assocaited tubular shaped lamp 10, with all reflectors oriented to face in one direction away from the lamp mounting surface. Each reflector is essentially parabolic but modified by the provision of four flats 39 along the sides thereof. Adjacent flats of adjacent reflectors abut one another to define a compact planar array of reflectors. As may be noted from FIGS. 2 and 3 the hairpin torsional section of the group of four springs 28 on each shaft are clustered in the central space provided behind each square, group of four reflectors. g

The array of eight reflectors 12 may comprise a single preformed sheet 40 of plastic material having a light reflective coating; for example, the inwardly dished reflector surfaces 12 may be provided by vacuum forming. Toward the vertex of each reflector is provided a coaxial aperture 41 of suitable shape for fitting'about the tubular flashlamp 10. If the radiation from a flashed lamp proves to be a problem by causing sympathetic ignition of an unselected lamp, the parabolic reflector skirt 12 may be extended back to cover substantially the entire lamp envelope, rather than leaving an exposed portion as illustrated in FIG. 3. The overall package configuration of the lamp-reflector array is the subject of US. Pat. No. 3,727,040 of John J. Vetere, Donald E. Armstrong and David R. Broadt, applied for concurrently herewith and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

As shown particularly in FIG. 4, each lamp 10 comprises an hermetically sealedlight-transmitting envelope 42 of tubular shape having a primer depending therefrom. A filling of combustible foil 43, such as zirconium, and a combustion-supporting gas, such as oxygen, are disposed in the envelope. The primer comprises a metal tube 44 coaxially projecting from the envelope and within which a wire anvil and a charge of fulminating material are disposed: Each lamp is supported on the support member 18 to project normal therefrom, and thus axially parallel to base 16, by means of a respective bore 46 into which the primer tube 44 is inserted. That is, there are four bores 46 in each of the shaft end surfaces, as shown in FIG. 2.

Each preenergized striker spring comprises a folded torsion device typically formed from 0.021 inch music wire about 2.5 inches long. The wire is shaped to form a hairpin torsional section having segments 47 and 48 joined by a bight 50. The end portion of segment 47 is shaped to define a stationary supporting foot 52, the tip of which is shaped to define a catch 54. Portions of foot 52 and catch 54 are hidden in FIG. 4. The end portion of segment 48 is shaped to define a striker 56, which when the spring is preenergized, or cocked, as shown, crosses over the supporting foot 52 and is restrained by the catch 54. The stationary supporting foot is seated in an elongated slot formed in the circular end surface of the gear shaft on or near a diagonal thereof, the slot being sufficiently shallow to permit catch 54 to project from the end surface of the shaft.

Initially the striker 56 may be formed at an angle of about 90 to the stationary supporting foot 52, although the angle through which the striker is rotated to position it behind catch 54, as shown, may be of any value that does not cause over stressing of the wire. A center post 58 on the end surface of each gear shaft provides a suitable bearing surface for the heel of the striker during cocking, and it also aids in preventing accidental displacement of the spring 28 sufficient to free the striker from the catch some time after cocking and before firing is intended.

Selective displacement of each cocked striker 56, to release it from catch 54 and thus permit it to strike the respective primer tube 44 and fire the associated lamp 10, is effected by rotational indexing of the gear train. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the firing springs 28 on each shaft are arranged with the strikers 56 disposed in a symmetrically radial pattern and projecting beyond the periphery of the circular end surface to overlie a portion of the gear mounted on that shaft. In particular, the free end of the strikers 56 are disposed to lie in the path of travel of the ramps 34, which project'from each gear. Hence, upon rotationally indexing the gear train, the striker adjacent to an oncoming ramp 34, as shown in FIG. 4, is pushed upwardly by the ramp a distance'sufficient to clear the top of the catch 54. The striker then swings clockwise, as indicated by the arrow, and hits and indents the impact sensitive primer tube 44 at a high velocity to cause deflagration of the fulminating material located therein and thus ignite the combustible foil 43.

To enable indexing of the gear train in equal increments, eight evenly spaced pins 60 are provided along the periphery of gear 30, each of the pins projecting normal to the plane of the gear as illustrated in FIG. 3. The pins 60 are rendered accessible to external actuating means through an aperture 62 provided in base member 16 (FIG. 2). For example, gear indexing may be effected by a suitable actuating member 64 moving up through aperture 62 to engage and push against one of the pins 60, the resulting angular displacement of the gears being determined by the maximumupward travel signed to enable the photographer to flash a lamp in synchronization with the tripping of the camera shutter to take a picture.

In the present flash unit, eight lamps are available to be sequentially flashed in response to successive indexing of the gear train by member 64. Thus, for example, eight rapid flash exposures may be taken with a camera, without the need for moving the lamps or rotating the unit. The sequence of releasing the strikers in response to indexing is programmed by the number and circumferential location of the ramps 34 on each gear. That is, the ramps 34 are arranged so that for a selected increment x of rotational displacement, the gear travel will cause a first ramp in the train to release a striker and a second ramp in the train to be moved to a position adjacent another preenergized striker 56, as shown in FIG. 4. This pattern of ramp positioning then continues for all successive x increments of rotation until all springs have been released. Typically, each indexing cycle will produce an x increment of gear rotation to provide a single lamp ignition. Some applications, however, may require two or more flashes in rapid succession, in which case each indexing cycle would be designed to produce 2x or more increments of rotation.

The size of the increment x of gear rotation required for each flash is dependent on the number of ramps. With one ramp per gear, one full revolution of the gears would be required to sequentially fire all lamps in the array; for two ramps per gear, only 180 of rotation would be required; with four ramps and so on. While subminiature arrays would perform adequately with one ramp, larger arrays with larger gears may require two or more ramps due to the limitation of movement of the camera actuating member 64.

The new position of the gear train is retained after each indexing cycle by means of a spring ratchet 68 which is attached to wall member 18 and adapted to engage the teeth of one of the gears so as to bias the gears against reverse rotation. Hence, by virtue of the mechanical firing system, the ramp programming, and the ratchet control, the present photoflash assembly provides a self-contained memory function, whereby the next unused lamp in the flash sequence will always be ready for immediate triggering, even though the unit may have been removed from a camera and subsequently replaced. This is a significant advantage as compared to electrical arrays.

In one typical embodiment of this invention as illustrated in FIG. 2, a pair of spur gears 30 and 32 each having 32 teethand a diameter of one inch are mounted on a support member 18 measuring about 1.3 inches by 2.53 inches. Two ramps 34 are provided on each gear, thereby requiring total rotation to release the eight striker springs. Each of the ramps 34 comprises a projection sloped on two opposite sides so that the same standard gear design can be used for both clockwise and counterclockwise gear rotation. The gears are retained on shafts 36 and 38 by the overlying strikers 56; hence, the ramps 34 are located radially outward from the inside edge of each gear to provide clearance for striker overhang after the spring is released so that the gears will continue to be held in position but free to rotate. The center to center circumferential spacing of the ramps is 135 (l2 teeth), and the starting position of the gears is as shown in FIG. 2.

The bottom of the base 16 may be provided with suitable means for mounting the photoflash assembly on apparatus such as a camera. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a mounting post 70 may be provided which is shaped to mate with the socket on a camera of the type generally available for use with percussive flashcubes, such as that described in US. Pat. No. 3,602,618, for example. In such cases either the camera would be modified to render the socket nonrotating, or'the post 70 would be allowed to rotate while the base remains stationary. The latter design approach would make the array adaptable for use on a camera which is also usable with rotating flashcubes. In some camera designs it may also be necessary to provide additional spring energy for operating the actuating member 64.

FIGS. -7 illustrate three indexing cycle positions of the actuating member and gears when support member 18 is attached via base 16 and mounting post 70 to a camera 72 of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,618. The views are simplified for purposes of clarity; for example the guide 66 and mounting post 70 are not shown. As described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,618, the camera mechanism is designed so that insertion of a flashcube mounting post into its complementary receiving socket on the camera causes upward movement of actuating member 64 to an intermediate position for sensing purposes. In the case of a flashcube, if a preenergized striker is in the firing position, it restricts further upward movement of member 64, and the camera is ready for taking a flash picture. On the other hand, if a released striker (used lamp) is in the firing position, the upward movement of member 64 is not restricted and thereby actuates an indicator signaling the presence of an used lamp. When the shutter is actuated to effect an exposure, the camera mechanism synchronously actuates a further upward movement of member 64 which releases the striker to fire a lamp. Operation of the film advance mechanism then causes the flashcube socket to be rotated by a quarter to a turn, whereupon associated cam surfaces in the camera mechanism cause member 64 to be retracted to a position permitting the flashcube to be rotated.

In like manner, when mounting post 70 (FIG. 2) of the presentphotoflash assembly is inserted in the camera socket, member 64 will be allowed to rise to the sensing position, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In this portion of the cycle, the top edge of member 64 engages one of the index pins 60 and slightly indexes the gears until contact between a preenergized striker and an uncoming ramp restricts further movement. In the event the next striker in the lamp sequence has already been released, upward movement of member 64 will not be restricted and the used lamp indicator will be actuated.

When the shutter is actuated to take a picture, member 64 is moved to its maximum upward position, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In traveling to this position, member 64 pushes against pin 60 to rotate the gears through an angular displacement sufficient to release one of the strikers 56 by the cam action of one of the moving ramps 34. In this connection, it will be noted that the shape of member 64 and the spacing of the pins is adapted for engaging one pin at a time for indexing. The top surface of member 64 is wide enough to support pin 60 during a full cycle of travel (FIGS. 7, 5 and 6), and member 64 contains a sawtooth notch 74 for clearing the pin adjacent to the engaged pin during indexing (FIG. 6).

When the film advance mechanism is operated after lamp firing, member 64 is retracted to its lowest position as the camera socket is allowed to rotate post on a stationary base 16. As member 64 retracts, the ramp surface of notch 74 slides against the adjacent pin 60 whreby it causes a slight reverse rotation of the gears against the bias of ratchet spring 68. To reduce the pin drag on member 64 during its downward travel, spring 68 is shaped with a reverse bend 76 (FIG. 2) to momentarily permit some reverse rotation of the gears. When member 64 reaches its lowest position, sliding pin 60 springs out of notch 74 and over the top of member 64 as ratched spring 68 forward rotates the gears in returning to an equilibrium condition. FIG. 7 illustrates the position of member 64 shortly after full retraction as it engages the new pin 60 and again travels upward toward the sensing position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modified actuating member 77 which may be employed in a camera 78 of the general type described in US. Pat. No. 3,602,618 for providing various modes of indexing the gear train of FIG. 2. It has been described above how the gear train can be rotationally indexed to fire a single lamp by a linear displacement of the camera actuating member. More specifically it has described that an increment x of angular displacement will cause one striker 56 to be released by a ramp 34 to fire a single lamp. It has also been described that an increment 2x of angular displacement will cause the release of two strikers to fire two lamps in rapid succession. FIG. 8 shows means for adjusting the maximum linear displacement of actuating member 77 to selectively provide angular gear displacements of 0, x or 2x.

More specifically, member 77 is provided with a stepped cam surface 80, 82 which is adapted to be engaged by an adjustable latch 84. Latch 84 is slidably mounted within the camera 78 and adapted by means of a handle (not shown) to be manually moved to any one of three lateral positions for selecting a maximum actuating member displacement. Each position of the latch 84 is locked by a detent mechanism 88, such as the illustrated spring loaded ball engaging one of three notches provided along the bottom of the latch. If latch 84 is moved fully to the right to engage cam surface 80, there will be no linear displacement of member 77 and no gear rotation. This position may be employed when the photographer wishes to use daylight illumination without removing the array from the camera. If latch 84 is moved to its intermediate position, it will engage cam surface 82 when member 77 is moved upward by operation of the camera shutter. This limits the upward travel of member 77 and the resulting indexing of the gears to fire a single lamp. If latch 84 is moved back to member 64. More specifically, a flat spiral spring 90 is mounted on shaft 36 (or 38), as illustrated, and connected to the gear 30 (or 32) on that shaft for biasing the gear toward indexing by insufficient to overcome the inertia thereof.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the number of lamps in the array may be varied, with a corresponding variation in the number of gears. Also, the number and spacing of the ramps 34 may vary. The gears can be arranged in various ways, yielding vertical, square, rectangular, T-, or L-shaped gear train configurations. The gears may be indexable by means other than the pins 60. Further, flat rotating members other than spur gears may be employed, and means other than ramps may be employed for selectively releasing the strikers. We claim: l. A selective actuating mechanism for a stationary photoflash lamp array; said array including a support member, a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted on said support member and facing one direction, and a plurality of preenergized strikers mounted on said support member and releasable to fire said flashlamps; the selective actuating mechanism comprising, in combination:

a movable member; means supporting said movable member in operative alignment with respect to said strikers; and,

means provided on said movable member for sequentially releasing said preenergized strikers to fire respective flashlamps of said array in response to suecessive indexing of said movable member with respect to said stationary array.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the sequence of releasing said strikers is programmed by the spatial disposition of said releasing means on said movable member.

3. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said array support member defines access means adjacent said strikers for enabling engagement with and release of each preenergized striker; said strikers are mounted so that, in the preenergized condition, said strikers project beyond a boundary of said access means; and, said movable member is so disposed that the path of travel of said releasing means is aligned with the projecting portions of selected ones of said strikers.

4. The mechanism of claim 3 wherein the projecting portions of said strikers overlie a portion of said movable member.

5. The mechanism of claim 4 wherein said releasing means comprises one or more ramps, and the sequence of releasing said strikers is programmed by the respective location of each of said ramps on said movable member.

6. The mechanism of claim 1 further including means for spring loading said movable member to bias said movable member toward indexing but insufficient to overcome the inertia thereof, said spring loading means thereby reducing the energy required to index said movable member.

7. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said movable member comprises a gear, said supporting means comprises a portion of said support member shaped to provide a stationary shaft upon which said gear is rotatably mounted, said shaft having a free end with a substantially planar surface parallel to the plane of said gear, and said flashlamps and strikers are mounted on said planar surface at the free end of said shaft with said preenergized strikers being disposed radially thereon.

8. The mechanism of claim 7 wherein said strikers project beyond the periphery of said planar surface at the free end of said shaft to overlie a portion of said gear, and said releasing means comprises one or more ramps on said gear, said sequence of releasing said strikers being programmed by the number and circumferential location of said ramps.

9. The mechanism of claim 7 further including engagable means for indexing said gear comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins on said gear.

10. The mechanism of claim 7 further including a spring ratchet mounted on said support member and engaging the teeth of said gear for biasing the gear against reverse'rotation.

11. The mechanism of claim 7 further including a second gear intermeshed with said first-mentioned gear, said second gear being rotatably mounted on a second stationary shaft provided on said support member, a plurality of said flashlamps and strikers being mounted on a substantially planar surface at the free end of said second shaft with said strikers disposed radially thereon, and said second gear having means projecting therefrom for sequentially releasing the preenergized strikers on said second shaft.

12. The mechanism of claim 11 further including a flat spiral spring mounted on said first-mentioned shaft and connected to said first-mentioned gear for biasing said first-mentioned gear toward indexing said first and second gears but insufficient to overcome the inertia thereof, said spiral spring thereby reducing the energy required to index said gears.

13. A unitary photoflash assembly comprising, in

combination:

a support member;

a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted on said support member a plurality of preenergized strikers mounted on said support member and releasable to fire said flashlamps;

a movable member mounted on said support member in operative alignment with respect to said strikers; and,

means provided on said movable member for sequen- 15. The assemblyof claim 13 wherein said support member defines access means adjacent said strikers for enabling engagement with and release of each preenergized striker; said strikers are mounted so that, in the preenergized condition, said strikers project beyond a boundary of said access means; and, said movable member is so disposed that the path of travel of said releasing means is aligned with the projecting portions of said strikers.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the projecting protions of said strikers overlie a portion of said movable member.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said releasing means comprises one or more ramps, and the sequence of releasing said strikers is programmed by the respective location of each of said ramps on said movable member.

18. The assembly of claim 13 further including means for spring loading said movable member to bias said movable member toward indexing but insufficient to overcome the inertia thereof, said spring loading means thereby reducing the energy required to index said movable member.

19. A photoflash assembly comprising, in combination:

a substantially planar support member;

a plurality of shafts fixedly secured at one end to said support member;

a coplanar train of intermeshing spur gears rotatably mounted on said shafts, each of said gears on a respective one of said shafts, with said gear train lying in a plane parallel to said support member;

the free end of each of said shafts having a substantially planar surface parallel to the plane of the gear mounted thereon and the plane of said support member;

a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted on the planar surface of each of said shafts with the longitudinal axes of said lamps disposed normal to said planar surface;

a plurality of preenergized strikers radially mounted on the planar surface of each of said shafts and individually releasable to fire a respective one of said flashlamps; and

means projecting from said gears and adapted for selectively releasing said preenergized strikers;

said gear train being operative upon rotation to selectively release said strikers in a predetermined sequence by means of said projecting means to thereby fire the respectively associated flashlamps.

20. The assembly of claim 19 further including means provided on one of said gears which is accessible to be engaged for indexing said gear train, said gear train being operative in response to successive indexing to sequentially release said strikers by means of said projecting means to fire respective ones of said flashlamps.

21. The assembly of claim 20 further including a spring ratchet mounted on said support member and engaging the teeth of one of said gears for biasing said gear train against reverse rotation.

22. The assembly of claim 20 further including a flat spiral spring mounted on one of said shafts and connected to the gear on that shaft for biasing that gear toward indexing said gear train but insufficient to overcome the inertia thereof, said spiral spring thereby reducing the energy required to index said gear train.

23. The assembly of claim 20 wherein said means accessible to be engaged for indexing said gear train comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins on one of said gears, said pins projecting normal to the plane of the gear and being disposed near the periphery of the gear, and said assembly is detachably mounted on means having a mechanical actuating member for engaging said pins to index said gear train.

24. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the shape of said actuating member and spacing of said pins is adapted for engagement of one of said pins at a time for indexing, and said actuating member contains a sawtooth notch for clearing the pin adjacent the engaged pin during indexing of said gear train.

25. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the shape of said actuating member and spacing of said pins is adapted for engagement of one of said pins at a time for indexing, said gear train is indexed by a linear displacement of said actuating member, and said lastmentioned means further includes means for adjusting the maximum linear displacement of said actuating member, a first adjusted linear displacement of said actuating member being operative to rotate said gears through a first angular displacement for firing a single one of said lamps, and a second adjusted linear displacement of said actuating member being operative to rotate said gears through a second angular displacement for successively firing two of said lamps, said second angular displacement being approximately double said first angular displacement.

26. The assembly of claim 25 wherein the means for adjusting the maximum linear displacement of said actuating member comprises an adjustable latch, and a stepped cam surface of said actuating member which is adapted to be engaged by said latch during selected maximum displacements thereof.

27. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the radially mounted strikers on each shaft project beyond the periphery of the planar surface thereof to overlie a portion of the gear mounted thereon, and said means projecting from said gears comprises one or more ramps on each of said gears, said sequence of releasing said strikers being programmed by the number and circumferential location of said ramps on each gear.

28. The assembly of claim 27 wherein each of said ramps comprises a projection sloped on two opposite sides, whereby each of said gears is standardized and may be used for both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation.

29. The assembly of claim 27 wherein each of said preenergized strikers is a portion of a folded torsion spring comprising a substantially hairpin torsional section having two segments joined by a bight, said striker portion projecting from one of said segments, a supporting foot projecting from the other of said segments and fixedly mounted on the planar surface of a respective one of said shafts, and a catch formed at the tip of said foot, said striker portion crossing said foot with said catch restraining said striker portion in a cocked condition.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 5,785,260

DATED JANUARY 1, 1974 |NVENT0R(5) DAVID R. BRQADT, DONALD E. ARMSTRONG It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 10, line 52 delete "on said array".

Signed and Scaled this [SEAL] eighth y r June 1976 Arrest:

ZUTII C. MA SON C. MARSHALL DANN uestmg Officer Commissioner of Parent: and Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFEATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. I 5,785,260

DATED 2 JANUARY 1, 1974 lN\/ ENTOR(5) I DAVID R. BROADT, DONALD E. ARMSTRONG It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 10, line 52 delete "on said array" 4 Signed and Scaled this Amer:

RUTH C. MASON C MARSHALL Arresting Off cer DANN Commissioner of Parent: and Trademarks 

1. A selective actuating mechanism for a stationary photoflash lamp array; said array including a support member, a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted on said support member and facing in one direction, and a plurality of preenergized strikers mounted on said support member and releasable to fire said flashlamps; the selective actuating mechanism comprising, in combination: a movable member; means supporting said movable member in operative alignment with respect to said strikers; and, means provided on said movable member for sequentially releasing said preenergized strikers to fire respective flashlamps of said array in response to successive indexing of said movable member with respect to said stationary array.
 2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the sequence of releasing said strikers is programmed by the spatial disposition of said releasing means on said movable member.
 3. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said array support member defines access means adjacent said strikers for enabling engagement with and release of each preenergized striker; said strikers are mounted so that, in the preenergized condition, said strikers project beyond a boundary of said access means; and, said movable member is so disposed that the path of travel of said releasing means is aligned with the projecting portions of selected ones of said strikers.
 4. The mechanism of claim 3 wherein the projecting portions of said strikers overlie a portion of said movable member.
 5. The mechanism of claim 4 wherein said releasing means comprises one or more ramps, and the sequenCe of releasing said strikers is programmed by the respective location of each of said ramps on said movable member.
 6. The mechanism of claim 1 further including means for spring loading said movable member to bias said movable member toward indexing but insufficient to overcome the inertia thereof, said spring loading means thereby reducing the energy required to index said movable member.
 7. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said movable member comprises a gear, said supporting means comprises a portion of said support member shaped to provide a stationary shaft upon which said gear is rotatably mounted, said shaft having a free end with a substantially planar surface parallel to the plane of said gear, and said flashlamps and strikers are mounted on said planar surface at the free end of said shaft with said preenergized strikers being disposed radially thereon.
 8. The mechanism of claim 7 wherein said strikers project beyond the periphery of said planar surface at the free end of said shaft to overlie a portion of said gear, and said releasing means comprises one or more ramps on said gear, said sequence of releasing said strikers being programmed by the number and circumferential location of said ramps.
 9. The mechanism of claim 7 further including engagable means for indexing said gear comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins on said gear.
 10. The mechanism of claim 7 further including a spring ratchet mounted on said support member and engaging the teeth of said gear for biasing the gear against reverse rotation.
 11. The mechanism of claim 7 further including a second gear intermeshed with said first-mentioned gear, said second gear being rotatably mounted on a second stationary shaft provided on said support member, a plurality of said flashlamps and strikers being mounted on a substantially planar surface at the free end of said second shaft with said strikers disposed radially thereon, and said second gear having means projecting therefrom for sequentially releasing the preenergized strikers on said second shaft.
 12. The mechanism of claim 11 further including a flat spiral spring mounted on said first-mentioned shaft and connected to said first-mentioned gear for biasing said first-mentioned gear toward indexing said first and second gears but insufficient to overcome the inertia thereof, said spiral spring thereby reducing the energy required to index said gears.
 13. A unitary photoflash assembly comprising, in combination: a support member; a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted on said support member a plurality of preenergized strikers mounted on said support member and releasable to fire said flashlamps; a movable member mounted on said support member in operative alignment with respect to said strikers; and, means provided on said movable member for sequentially releasing said preenergized strikers to fire respective ones of said flashlamps on said array in response to successive indexing of said movable member.
 14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the sequence of releasing said strikers is programmed by the spatial disposition of said releasing means on said movable member.
 15. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said support member defines access means adjacent said strikers for enabling engagement with and release of each preenergized striker; said strikers are mounted so that, in the preenergized condition, said strikers project beyond a boundary of said access means; and, said movable member is so disposed that the path of travel of said releasing means is aligned with the projecting portions of said strikers.
 16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the projecting protions of said strikers overlie a portion of said movable member.
 17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said releasing means comprises one or more ramps, and the sequence of releasing said strikers is programmed by the respective location of each of said ramps on said movable member.
 18. The assembly of claim 13 further including means for spring loading said movable member to bias said movable member toward indexing but insufficient to overcome the inertia thereof, said spring loading means thereby reducing the energy required to index said movable member.
 19. A photoflash assembly comprising, in combination: a substantially planar support member; a plurality of shafts fixedly secured at one end to said support member; a coplanar train of intermeshing spur gears rotatably mounted on said shafts, each of said gears on a respective one of said shafts, with said gear train lying in a plane parallel to said support member; the free end of each of said shafts having a substantially planar surface parallel to the plane of the gear mounted thereon and the plane of said support member; a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted on the planar surface of each of said shafts with the longitudinal axes of said lamps disposed normal to said planar surface; a plurality of preenergized strikers radially mounted on the planar surface of each of said shafts and individually releasable to fire a respective one of said flashlamps; and means projecting from said gears and adapted for selectively releasing said preenergized strikers; said gear train being operative upon rotation to selectively release said strikers in a predetermined sequence by means of said projecting means to thereby fire the respectively associated flashlamps.
 20. The assembly of claim 19 further including means provided on one of said gears which is accessible to be engaged for indexing said gear train, said gear train being operative in response to successive indexing to sequentially release said strikers by means of said projecting means to fire respective ones of said flashlamps.
 21. The assembly of claim 20 further including a spring ratchet mounted on said support member and engaging the teeth of one of said gears for biasing said gear train against reverse rotation.
 22. The assembly of claim 20 further including a flat spiral spring mounted on one of said shafts and connected to the gear on that shaft for biasing that gear toward indexing said gear train but insufficient to overcome the inertia thereof, said spiral spring thereby reducing the energy required to index said gear train.
 23. The assembly of claim 20 wherein said means accessible to be engaged for indexing said gear train comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins on one of said gears, said pins projecting normal to the plane of the gear and being disposed near the periphery of the gear, and said assembly is detachably mounted on means having a mechanical actuating member for engaging said pins to index said gear train.
 24. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the shape of said actuating member and spacing of said pins is adapted for engagement of one of said pins at a time for indexing, and said actuating member contains a sawtooth notch for clearing the pin adjacent the engaged pin during indexing of said gear train.
 25. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the shape of said actuating member and spacing of said pins is adapted for engagement of one of said pins at a time for indexing, said gear train is indexed by a linear displacement of said actuating member, and said last-mentioned means further includes means for adjusting the maximum linear displacement of said actuating member, a first adjusted linear displacement of said actuating member being operative to rotate said gears through a first angular displacement for firing a single one of said lamps, and a second adjusted linear displacement of said actuating member being operative to rotate said gears through a second angular displacement for successively firing two of said lamps, said second angular displacement being approximately double said first angular displacement.
 26. The assembly of claim 25 wherein the means for adjusting the maximum linear displacement of said actuating member comprises an adjustable latCh, and a stepped cam surface of said actuating member which is adapted to be engaged by said latch during selected maximum displacements thereof.
 27. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the radially mounted strikers on each shaft project beyond the periphery of the planar surface thereof to overlie a portion of the gear mounted thereon, and said means projecting from said gears comprises one or more ramps on each of said gears, said sequence of releasing said strikers being programmed by the number and circumferential location of said ramps on each gear.
 28. The assembly of claim 27 wherein each of said ramps comprises a projection sloped on two opposite sides, whereby each of said gears is standardized and may be used for both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation.
 29. The assembly of claim 27 wherein each of said preenergized strikers is a portion of a folded torsion spring comprising a substantially hairpin torsional section having two segments joined by a bight, said striker portion projecting from one of said segments, a supporting foot projecting from the other of said segments and fixedly mounted on the planar surface of a respective one of said shafts, and a catch formed at the tip of said foot, said striker portion crossing said foot with said catch restraining said striker portion in a cocked condition. 